Moray (Middle Irish:Muréb;Medieval Latin:Moravia;Old Norse:Mýræfi) was aprovince within the area of modern-day Scotland, that may at times up to the 12th century have operated as an independentkingdom or as a power base for competing claimants to theKingdom of Alba. It covered a much larger territory than the moderncouncil area ofMoray, extending approximately from theRiver Spey in the east to theRiver Beauly in the north, and encompassingBadenoch,Lochaber andLochalsh in the south and west.

Moray emerged in the 10th century as a successor to the dominantPictish kingdom ofFortriu. The status ofits rulers was ambiguous: being described in some sources asmormaers, in others as Kings of Moray, and in others asKings of Alba. The ruling kin-group of Moray, sometimes called theHouse of Moray, attained the throne of Alba between 1040 and 1058 in the person ofMac Bethad mac Findláich (Shakespeare'sMacbeth) and his stepsonLulach. After Lulach was killed and succeeded byMáel Coluim mac Donnchada of theHouse of Dunkeld, Lulach's sonMáel Snechtai and grandsonÓengus continued to rule Moray and challenge the kings to the south until Óengus' defeat and death at theBattle of Stracathro in 1130.

Over the following decadesDavid I of Scotland and his successors established institutions to bring Moray more directly under Scottish control, suppressing the office ofmormaer, foundingmonasteries,burghs andsheriffdoms within the province, and granting large areas of it asprovincial lordships to loyal followers. However Moray continued to be a base for rebellions by theMeic Uilleims, the descendants of the lastmormaerWilliam fitz Duncan, until the last of the line was killed in 1230.

The placename "Moray" could have either aPictish or aGaelic origin, but its earliest attested form asMoreb makes a Pictish origin more likely.^[1]Moreb iscognate with theMiddle Welshmoreb andCornishmorab, which survives asmurriph inCornish English, all of which mean "low lying land near to the sea".^[2]William Watson's earlier derivation of Moray from the unattested Gaelic *mori-treb meaning "sea-settlement" is now considered less likely.^[1]

Historians have suggested that the topographical nature of the placenames of Moray andRoss, coupled with their origins as local divisions of the kingdom ofFortriu, may mean that they were originally qualified asMureb Fortrenn andRos Fortrenn, respectively the "Coastland of Fortriu" and "Headland of Fortriu".^[3] While there is no direct evidence of the provinces having these names,^[4] it is possible that the phrase "ros (headland) of Fortriu" may underlie the place-nameFortrose, referring to nearbyChanonry Point.^[5]

In the century or two before 1130 the name Moray described apolity far larger than the latercounty orcouncil area of the same name.^[6]

The boundaries of Moray were explicitly documented in the charter ofRobert the Bruce that granted the recreatedearldom toThomas Randolph in 1312.^[7] The eastern boundary of the province was described as following theRiver Spey south from its mouth, though including all of the lands ofFochabers,Rathenach,Rothes andBoharm,^[8] and all of the lordships ofBadenoch,Kincardine,Glencarnie andLochaber,^[9] all of which also included land on the east bank of the river.^[8] North of Lochaber the province includedGlenelg on the west coast – an area described as "Argyll of Moray" – from where the northern boundary of the province followed theRiver Beauly to theMoray Firth.^[10] Unusually, this document does not name anyperambulators, so probably reflects an earlier perambulation of the borders, most likely dating from the period when Moray was taken into crown hands after 1130.^[11]

Before the early 13th century Moray was not considered part of "Scotland" (Latin:Scotia,Old Irish:Alba) which was thought to extend only between theFirth of Forth and theRiver Spey.^[12] As late as 1214 theGesta Annalia recorded howWilliam the Lion "returned fromMoray to Scotland, and progressed from Scotland into Lothian".^[13] Placename evidence also suggests that the people of Moray did not consider themselves "Scots".^[14]

Moray and neighbouringRoss were the heartlands of the powerfulPictish kingdom ofFortriu, which was last recorded in entries in theAnnals of Ulster in 904,^[15] and in theFragmentary Annals of Ireland in 918,^[16] and from which both Moray and Ross probably emerged as successor polities in the 10th century.^[3] Moray is first recorded in a reference in theChronicle of the Kings of Alba describing howMalcolm I of Scotland, who reigned from 943 to 954, "crossed into Moray and slew Cellach".^[17] The identity of this Cellach is not known: while it is possible that he was a ruler of Moray, the name was a common one during this period.^[18] The entry does however imply that Moray at this time did not lie within Malcolm I's home territory.^[19]

There is no direct mention of Moray in any other contemporary record from the 10th century,^[18] but circumstantial evidence suggests that Moray was probably the home territory for some of theKings of Alba during the period.^[20] From 889 until 997 the Kingship of Alba alternated between two distinct families descended from two sons ofKenneth MacAlpin:Clann Aeda, the descendants ofKing Áed, andClann Chausantin, the descendants ofConstantine I.^[21] Surviving records show the kings of Clann Chausantin constantly in conflict with the men of Moray:^[19]Donald II is recorded in theChronicle of Melrose and thePictish King lists dying atForres in 900;^[22] Malcolm I is recorded in the same sources being "killed by the Moravians by treachery" atBlervie, just south of Forres, in 954;^[23] andKing Dub is recorded in theAnnals of Ulster being killed in Forres "by the Scots themselves" in 967,^[24] with his body being hidden under the bridge at nearbyKinloss.^[25] Although some sources record other locations for the deaths of these kings, no kings from Clann Chausantin are recorded in any source as being killed south of theMounth.^[26] In contrast no kings from Clann Aeda seem to have faced opposition in the north.^[19] and the one recorded being killed north of the Mounth wasIldulb, who died atCullen at the hands of the Vikings.^[26] It therefore seems likely that Moray was the power base for Clann Aeda, while Clann Chausantin were probably based south of theGrampian Mountains.^[20]

Forres appears to have been the major political centre of Moray during this period,^[24] a status it probably inherited after the destruction ofBurghead Fort byVikings in the 9th century,^[27] and which may be commemorated by the monumental carvedSueno's Stone that survives on the outskirts of the modern town.^[28] The rulers of Moray appear to have controlled the more easterly provinces ofBuchan andMar until the 12th century,^[29] but the extent of their power to the north is unclear.^[30]

Njal's Saga, aSaga of the Icelanders, mentions Mormaers and Kings in northern Scotland from the later 10th century, namelyJarl Melsnatr (Máel Snechtai) and KingMelkofr (Máel Coluim) of "Scotland". Both date from the period 976 to 995.^[31] However no king named Máel Coluim reigned in Scotland in this period.Njal's Saga was not written as a historical guide for details outsideIceland orScandinavia and the text is notoriously unreliable.

Moray was ruled by aGaelic-speaking dynasty, the most notable perhaps being KingMacbeth of Scotland, who ruled from 1040 to 1057. These rulers were sometimes styledRi meaningking ormormaer meaninggreat steward.^[6]

Irish annals record the killing ofFindláech, son of Ruaidri, 'mormaer of Moray', in 1020 by the sons of his brother, Mael Brigte. Both Findlaech and Mael Coluim are styled 'king of Alba' rather than 'of Moray' in oneobituary but this may be an error or exaggeration.^[6] Mael Coluim's brother and successor, Gillie Coemgáin is recorded asMormaer of Moray.^[32] The death of Mael Coluim, son of Mael Brigte, is recorded in 1029 and, in 1032 that of his brother Gilla Comgain, killed along with 50 of his men.^[6]

Gilla Comgain's successor and probably also his killer, was his cousin Macbeth (Mac Bethad mac Findlaig). Macbeth married Gilla Comgain's widowGruoch, a princess of the mac Alpin dynasty, and became king of Scots in 1040, after defeating and killingDuncan I of Scotland (Donnchad ua Mail Choluim) in battle. Later sources suggest that MacBeth had a claim to the Scottish throne through his mother, but his Gaelic pedigree, on record only two generations after his death, traces his descent through his father Findlaech, and grandfather Ruaidri, from the house of Loarn, Kings ofDál Riata.^[6]

The pedigree of Macbeth from the Loarn kings of Dál Riata offers a clue to the origins of his dynasty in Moray. Moray may have been a separate kingdom for a time, independent of the dynasty of Kenneth mac Alpin. However it seems likely that rulers of Moray were subject loosely to theKings of Alba. Moray acted as a buffer against further Scandinavian penetration from the north, and its rulers were remembered with respect in Scandinavian sources such asOrkneyinga Saga.^[6]

Macbeth himself was in turn killed and defeated in 1057. After which, his stepsonLulach, son of Gilla Comgain, and Gruoch, claimed the Scottish throne briefly before being himself killed in 1058. Lulach's son,Mael Snechtai, died in 1085 as 'king of Moray'. Later, an earl named Aed or 'Heth' who witnesses royal charters early in the next century may also have been based in Moray. The last ruling member of the dynasty, styled 'king' or 'earl' of Moray, wasÓengus (Angus) son of the daughter of Lulach.Óengus (Angus) challengedDavid I of Scotland in battle, but was defeated and killed atStracathro in Angus, in 1130 and thus the Kingdom of Moray was destroyed by David I of Scotland.^[6]

Claims thatWilliam fitz Duncan became the last Mormaer of Moray cannot be substantiated and his claim for the Scottish throne proved unsuccessful.Malcolm MacHeth, who rebelled against David I, but was later madeEarl of Ross may have been related to the old rulers of Moray, as may also have been the mysteriousWimund. Later MacHeth claimants to Moray were unsuccessful.^[6]

David I of Scotland's suppression of the Kingdom of Moray in 1130 did not mark the end of the province's significance or of the problems its management caused to the kings of Scotland. Despite the expulsion of its line of rulers, Moray continued to be referred to in the early 13th century as a land separate to Scotia. Even when the realm of Scotland was recognised as stretching as far north asCaithness, Moray was still recognised as one of the chief northern provinces. The Gaelic notes in theBook of Deer dating from the mid 12th century offer a glimpse of the holding of land and the ordering of society in Moray.^[6]

The actions of the crown's royal government during the century after 1130 seemed to create differences between the upland regions of the province and the coastal districts of the Laich of Moray, between theRiver Spey andInverness. The crown's existing estates were concentrated in these coastal regions and between 1130 and 1230 the kings established sheriffdoms orshires centred on Inverness,Nairn,Forres andElgin, providing a framework for royal authority in the province.^[6]

The extension of royal government was accompanied by the settlement of immigrants in the Laich of Moray. Lands were given to the crown's supporters, the most important of whom wasFreskin, who was of Flemish – Norman descent. Freskin founded the 'de Moravia' or 'Moray family'. The senior line of de Moravias would later becomeEarls of Sutherland, chiefs ofClan Sutherland until the line passed via the female line to the Gordon family. Another branch of the same family who took the name Murray were the Murrays of Bothwell, and yet another line who may be related to this branch, became chiefs ofClan Murray and laterEarls of Atholl.^[6]

The final area of change in the province of Moray after 1130 was religion. There was aBishop of Moray before 1130, however aDiocese of Moray with an established centre at Elgin Cathedral with a parochial structure was achieved only during the 13th century. Reformed religious houses were founded atBeauly,Pluscarden andKinloss.^[6]

While the changes that took place in the centuries following the 1130 defeat of the kings of Moray secured the Laich of Moray under the authority of the crown, the interior of the province fromLochalsh toStrathbogie remained a source of difficulty and threat. Attempts to revive the old earldom of Moray and challenge the king of Scotland found support in these areas. Leaders such asWimund, the son of theEarl of Angus and the MacWilliam family were able to raise allies from the Gaelic uplands of Moray which led to warfare in the region from the 1140s to the 1220s. The kings normally left the defeat of these enemies to their aristocratic vassals. The interior of the province from theGreat Glen to Strathbogie was divided between six or more families, the greatest of which, at this time was theClan Comyn lords of Badenoch and Lochaber.^[6]

Moray's importance as part of the kingdom of Scotland was demonstrated during the years of major warfare between 1296 and 1340. The province was relatively untouched by direct fighting and Royal-led English armies penetrated Moray on only three occasions in 1296, 1303 and 1335, and significant English occupation occurred only in 1296–97. This security meant that it was a vital refuge and recruitment ground for the Scottish guardians between 1297 and 1303, and providedRobert I of Scotland with a base and allies during his northern campaign against the Comyns and their allies in 1307–08. The province was forced to submit toEdward I of England in 1303 and Robert I of Scotland therefore clearly recognised the significance of Moray for the security of his realm. In 1312 Robert I re-established theearldom of Moray for his nephew,Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray. The new earldom included all of the old province and the crown lands of the Laich.^[6]

Thomas's son John Randolph was killed in 1346, leaving no heir and the other noble families including the Comyns, Strathbogies and Morays had all disappeared from or left the province by between 1300 and 1350. With the absence of noble leaders, power fell to lesser figures who functioned in kin-based groups such as theClan Donnachaidh of Atholl and theChattan Confederation which centred on Badenoch. This drew in lords and men from outside of the province, from further south such as theDunbars and Stewarts who staked claims to rule the province of Moray. In 1372 theearldom of Moray was divided between them with John Dunbar receiving the coastal districts and Alexander Stewart, favourite son ofRobert II of Scotland being made lord of Badenoch in the uplands^[6]

Across Scotland, the shires which had been created after the 12th century were gradually given more administrative functions. By contrast, the older provinces under the authority of mormaers, earls or other nobles declined in significance, albeit were never explicitly abolished. The shires which broadly covered the province of Moray wereElginshire,Nairnshire, parts ofBanffshire, and most of the mainland part ofInverness-shire.^[33]

Elginshire was seen as the core of the old Moray territory, and so in 1919 Elginshire County Council changed its name to Moray County Council.^[34] The county's statutory name was subsequently changed from Elgin to Moray in 1947.^[35] The county of Moray ceased to be used for local government purposes in 1975, when a new Moray district was created covering most of the pre-1975 county of Moray plus western parts of Banffshire.^[36] The district of Moray was redesignated as a council area in 1996.^[37]

This table is a comparison of the genealogies apparently used by the Kings ofMuireb and of (southern)Alba. Both trace their descent toErc of Dalriada. All three, incidentally, are calledKing of Alba in themanuscript.

^[38]

The following names and dates are based on people named in sources. All are Moravians named in sources either as King of Scotland or just Mormaer. The beginning and end dates are virtually always based on known death date, and assuming the next named successor actually did succeed, and succeeded immediately:

• Fortriu
• Earl of Moray

• Annals of Tigernach
• Annals of Ulster
• Chronicon Scotorum
• Gaelic Notes on the Book of Deer
• Genelaig Albanensium in the Genealogies from Rawlinson B 502
• Ruardri King of Moray Notes by Jacqueli Finley http://www.leesofvirginia.org/Ruardri_King_of_Moray.html